The Missouri Department of Conservation is warning the public about potentially infested moss balls containing invasive zebra mussels that have potentially been sold throughout the state.
The warning has come about due to Marimo moss balls being discovered with the mussels in Washington State, giving conservation departments across the nation a reason to be alert.
These mussels are a native of southern Russia and Ukraine, but has since been introduced to a great deal many freshwater systems across the world, including our local lakes in Missouri and Arkansas.
These mussels are considered a problem due to their high reproduction rate, and their propensity for decimating local mussel populations, fouling boat hulls and motors, and general aquatic ecosystem disruption.
MDC urges retailers and aquarium owners who bought moss balls in the last year to check them for zebra mussels and decontaminate or dispose of if found.
You can also report any zebra mussels you find online at fws.gov.
